"Gary Barlow stayed true to his word": Marcus Collins tells us about his life following The X Factor (video)

Three months after he came second on The X Factor, we catch up with Marcus Collins – video interview

We caught up with Marcus Collins and had a hearty chat with him about all sorts

It’s only been three months since Marcus Collins was crowned the runner up of the biggest talent show on television, yet the Liverpudlian has already recorded his first album and unleashed it on the world.

But Marcus didn’t do it alone – just like his mentor promised, Gary Barlow stepped up and became the executive producer on the album, even writing his protégé a song.

Generally, when celebrities offer their services, it’s all lip service (Cheryl Cole, we’re looking at you), but not Gary – he’s helped Marcus every step of the way.

When we caught up with Marcus, he had nothing but lovely things to say about the head judge. The 23 year old told us: “Gary’s the exec producer on the album. He’s been really involved and written a track for the album.

“It’s really cool working with him again. He stayed true to his word – he’s a genuine guy.”

Rex

Marcus has been a busy boy, promoting his new album around the UK

On Gary’s reaction to his debut single – a striking cover of the White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army – Marcus said the Take That singer loved it. He told us: “He was behind it 100 per cent. He was like ‘Cool, got some ideas, let me know how you get on with it’. I wanted to come out with a bang that people wouldn’t expect.

Marcus’s new album – named after himself (should have just put ‘self titled’ there) – was done and dusted just two months after he finished The X Factor. It’s easily the fastest anyone’s released any material following the show, with most artists taking up to a year to get everything together.

Explaining how it happened, Marcus told us: “The eleventh of December we finished, and on the twelfth, I went back up to Liverpool and put pen to paper and started writing and jotting down things on my iPad.

“It was just ideas of what I wanted to do musically if I was given the chance. I couldn’t think about anything else – my life has changed so dramatically and this was my opportunity.

“I got a call [two weeks later] when I was walking the dog in the park and they said, ‘Yep, we need you to come down, you’ve been signed and we want you to come to the studio as soon as possible’. And I was like, ‘Great! I’ve got loads of ideas, let’s go!”

And go they did. Marcus added: “We smashed all the way through January until it was done. And ended up with more songs than we needed - we boiled them down to the best eight original tracks and we put a couple of covers on.”

Marcus's debut album, Marcus Collins, was released on March 12

On how he coped with the stress of recording around the clock, Marcus said that all it took was “Gary Barlow and a strong ethic”.

He does have a few cheats, mind, namely a special application on his iPhone that keeps him relaxed when everything gets a bit much.

On having a stressful month – balancing the release of his album with The X Factor tour – Marcus said he has a few tricks to stay calm.

SPLASH

On tour with The X Factor: Are you sure things aren't getting a bit much, Marcus?!

He told us: “Don’t worry about me, I’ve got incense. I’ve got incense and an app to help me calm down and relax on me phone.

“It’s a hypnotherapy thing, its cool, it chills me out. That and rescue remedy – I live my life by that.

“But my stress levels are good, balanced at the minute. It can get a little bit hectic but go to the gym, do an hour release some endorphins and I’m back to normal.”

Marcus really is normal and that’s one of the reasons why we want you all to go and buy his new album, which is out now. But not before you watch the interview above.